Weekend: Thousands Bike the 'Heart of LA'

CicLAvia marks its fifth anniversary with a return to a classic route.

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Bikes and skateboards and strollers and pedestrians'll all head for "The Heart of LA" during the Oct. 18 CicLAvia. The big bike ride rolls through downtown throughout the day.

CicLAvia's "Heart of LA": Hoo boy, talk about timing. This mega bike roll, where thousands of people pedal or skateboard or stroll along streets that have been closed to cars, will enjoy some truly fine weather on Sunday, Oct. 18, as of this typing. The high is expected to be 76, which is about 25 degrees cooler than the previous Sunday. Still, sunblock-up, drink your water, and cycle through downtown and its environs (a return route that CicLAvia chose in honor of its 5th anniversary). But don't cycle too fast -- there's lots to see in terms of entertainment and info booths and food trucks along the way.

Fall Festivals: The aforementioned heat seems to be chilling out, finally, which means those SoCalers who want to get their autumn on will want to do so as soon as possible. The Original Farmers Market at Third & Fairfax is throwing its annual and very venerable Fall Festival, complete with fiddle bands and critters to pet. And Descanso Gardens in La Cañada is staging an Autumn Festival, complete with crafts, a barbecue, and a costume parade. The Farmers Market fest is free, and garden admission gets you into the Descanso fun. Both happen both days of the weekend, Oct. 17 and 18.

Burbank Beer Festival & Fall Street Fair: Speaking of seasonal things, this downtown Burbank to-do, formerly known as Burbank Oktoberfest, is kicking off in its new incarnation with a free street party and over 85 craft-cool brews on tap. The sudsy sipping arrives in two sessions, so you'll need to pick one, and you'll need to pay forty bucks for all the foamy sampling. There's live music to provide the soundtrack, since a soundtrack pretty much enhances any activity. Saturday, Oct. 17

The Big Draw LA: To say you're not a doodler is probably a bit of a fib. Perhaps you don't create elaborate creations, but you might like adult coloring books or adding a little imagery to a friend's card. That impulse, to draw, regardless of how talented you think you are (you are, we're betting), is feted each year in this put-pencil-to-paper party. While several come-together-and-create confabs'll pop up around SoCal over the illustration-packed weekend, Grand Park has one of the grandest on Sunday, Oct. 18. Glassell Park, Glendale Central Library, and other spots have doodle-tastic events going, too, but be sure to check date and time.

Off the Hook Seafood Festival: October is National Seafood Month, and one of Southern California's most mussel-tastic, clam-packed burgs is marking the flavorful holiday with a food-filled celebration. We speak of Santa Monica, yes, and if you're about to guess that Santa Monica Pier is the scene for this shrimp-laden lark, you'd be correct. Some of the city's best seafooderies'll be out, steaming/grilling, and tickets'll go as fast as a bowl of bouillabaisse. Saturday, Oct. 17